TORAH: Leviticus 16:1-18:30
HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 22:1-19
GOSPEL: Matthew 15:10-20; Mark 12:28-34
Portion Outline:
The twenty-ninth reading from the Torah and sixth reading from Leviticus is named Acharei Mot, two words that mean “after the death.” The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which say, “Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron” (Leviticus 16:1). Leviticus 16 describes the Tabernacle ceremony for the holy festival of the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 17 establishes general rules for sacrifice and sanctuary. Leviticus 18 lays down specific laws about permitted and forbidden sexual relationships.
Torah
Leviticus 16:1 | The Day of Atonement
Leviticus 17:1 | The Slaughtering of Animals
Leviticus 17:10 | Eating Blood Prohibited
Leviticus 18:1 | Sexual Relations
Prophets
Eze 22:1 | The Bloody City
Portion Commentary:
Face to Face
The Day of Atonement is a day for coming face to face with God. In a spiritual sense, we are to regard ourselves on that day as if we are standing in the Holy of Holies, face to face with the Almighty.
On the day of Yom Kippur, the high priest came face to face with God. That is why he first brought incense into the Holy of Holies. The purpose of the incense was to create a cloud of smoke so he would not see the ark of the covenant and die. In this world, even our closest encounters with God are veiled and obscured. Paul says that “now we see in a mirror dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). He was referring to a brass mirror. Though it provided a reflection, it was not a sharp, clear reflection like modern mirrors provide. If the brass was not freshly polished, the reflection in the mirror became more dim.
Remembering that we do not see God clearly should help keep us humble. It should make us reluctant to criticize other people’s theologies and their experiences with God. They may have perceived an aspect of the Almighty that we have not, or we may have found revelation that has been withheld from them. Neither of us is to be blamed for not seeing the whole picture. In this world, the whole picture is not available. Yeshua told the theologians of His day, “You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form” (John 5:37). That is why a true appreciation for the greatness of God excludes religious arrogance. The Apostle Paul exclaimed, “Now I know [only] in part, but then I will know fully” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Nobody on this side of the veil has apprehended absolute truth.
“No one has seen God at any time” (John 1:18), the Apostle John said. Nevertheless, John goes on to say that the only begotten Son of God has revealed Him. Yeshua says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
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